do rafters needs boards and insulation

[Deano3]

Just a quick one, recently moved houses and loft is already boarded out so thats good, some of the insulation and boards have came off the rafters , i think they have put boards up and rammed insulation inside or some of it, but higher up doesnt look like any, i imagine its insulated under the boarded floor.

i am thinking does it need this or can i remove the boards from the rafters ? be easier to see if ever a leak etc and also the lovelt carpet needs removed i think as previously been a leak and its just disintegrates when touch it.

pictures below

Thanks Dean

 

[foxhole]

Doesn’t need insulation , probably just boarded to reduce dust on storage area.

 

[Deano3]

Doesn’t need insulation , probably just boarded to reduce dust on storage area.

Would you take the boards off the rafters ? Just don't know of better off for visibility etc.

Thanks dean

 

[foxhole]

Would you take the boards off the rafters ? Just don't know of better off for visibility etc.

Thanks dean

Nothing to see unless you have a leak .?

 

[Deano3]

I know that's why I thought might be better off so can always see if any leaks and to allow for air circulation.

Also may remove the ancient carpet from floor boards in loft, nicer to walk around but it's awful and we're been wet in past its just awful so may remove that.

Thanks dean

 

[ChrisJP]

Those boards over the rafters will prevent air circulation and may eventually lead to rot in the rafters. I would have them off. The place for insulation is on the "floor" of the loft. I see you're assuming that there is insulation below the boards - but I would lift a few to check - there may not be given the previous owner's boarding of the rafters.

 

[JohnD]

Depending on the age of the house, the tiles may be unfelted, or they may be torched.

In either case dirt and grit will fall down into your loft and anything stored in it.

It looks like the boards are open near the eaves, so the gap will be ventilated which is OK.

If there is insulation in the gap it may hold water if there is a leak.

 

[Deano3]

Depending on the age of the house, the tiles may be unfelted, or they may be torched.

In either case dirt and grit will fall down into your loft and anything stored in it.

It looks like the boards are open near the eaves, so the gap will be ventilated which is OK.

If there is insulation in the gap it may hold water if there is a leak.

There seems to be some insulation behind some of the boards. So would you leave up ? Think I will. Behind them is the black breathable membrane that's normally up but doing no harm at moment, going to remove the carpet from the loft as will need removed for the rewire anyway.

Dean

 

[ree]

OP,
You have just been exposed to a lack of knowledge - a confusion about rafter retro-insulation, & new build rafter insulation.
Once you begin retro-work on an old roof such as yours then BCO & the Bldg. Regs will require insulation.

Leave the "black felt" alone - its necessary.
Rafter ventilation takes place in a built-in gap below the felt - maybe you dont have a ventilation gap?
No worries given you dont report condensation.
Whatever insulation is there, leave it alone.
There's no reason to remove the boards unless you want to add insulation or there are signs of a leak.

If you are thinking of a loft conversion then you would enter into a more complicated area of Insulation Regs.